News

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. James Kellmurray

April 17, 2009

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Jim Kellmurray, age 91. He passed away last evening, April 16th, at St. Luke's Hospital in New Hartford.

When the Great American Irish Festival became the presenter of the Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade two years ago, Jim was chosen as our first Grand Marshal. Below is an article about his life that ran when he was chosen as Grand Marshal:

James R. Kellmurray Chosen St. Patrick's Parade Grand Marshal
January 28, 2008

James R. Kellmurray's life journey has taken him all the way around the world. Now it has taken him to one place he never expected: to the title of Parade Grand Marshal. Mr. Kellmurray has been chosen from among a list of worthy nominees to serve as 2008 Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal by a select committee of past Grand Marshals.

The grandson of immigrants from County Galway, Jim was raised by his parents, James M. Kellmurray and Gertrude Lynch Kellmurray in East Utica, the center of early Irish culture in this area, and attended St. Agnes Parish, St. Agnes Grade School and St. Francis DeSales High School, where he played basketball. Jim was in the first ROTC Class at Niagara University in Buffalo, earning his degree in Economics there. Commissioned in the U.S. Army at Fort Dix, N.J., he was sent to Europe in 1940, attached to the 1st Division US Army, and participated in the invasion of Omaha Beach in 1944. After suffering wounds in combat in Belgium in 1944, Jim recuperated in hospitals in Paris, France and in England and upon his release was assigned to active duty in England.

Following his return to the states in 1946 and discharge from the Army, Jim joined the US Army Reserve and helped form the Military Police Unit in Utica.

Jim found employment with a company called Controlled Manpower. In 1964 he joined the Utica Industrial Corporation and stayed on when it merged with the Oneida County Industrial Development Corp., in which capacity he was instrumental in bringing Metropolitan and Hartford Insurance Companies, and the Federal Reserve Bank to the area. In addition, he taught accounting at MVCC from 1962-1965 and worked for Carstair's and Calverts distilleries for 15 years.

Jim is involved in many Irish organizations, holding the longest membership in the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and serving as an active member in the Ancient Order Of Hibernians, and is also a member of the New Hartford American Legion Post, Genesis Group, St. Paul's' Parish in Whitesboro and St. Ann's Parish, also in Whitesboro, holding the distinction of being (along with James Kernan Esq.) the oldest alter boy in the Syracuse Dioceses.

Enjoying his well-earned retirement, Mr. Kellmurray spends his time these days treasuring his two daughters, Gail and Sue and granddaughters Kate and Amy.